“Million in the Mirror” wins the Army of Women PSA Contest

Posted by Dr. Susan Love at 4:46 pm

We are excited to announce that after a very tight race, “Million in the Mirror,” by Marc Parees and Ryan Silbert of New York University’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, is the winner of its first-ever public service announcement (PSA) video contest for the Love/Avon Army of Women.

As many of you know, earlier this year, the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation embarked upon an exciting adventure: We developed a contest that gave film students from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and New York University’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television the opportunity to propose their ideas for a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video that would encourage one million women of all ages and ethnicities from across the nation to sign up and be part of the Army of Women movement.

We received more than 25 submissions for the contest, and we were incredibly impressed by the passion the students showed for our work and our mission to move breast cancer beyond a cure. It was far from easy to choose the best projects. But after much debate and discussion, we agreed on the four finalists, who each received a $5,000 budget to create a PSA video.

The online contest was hosted by Glamour magazine at www.glamour.com. In a one-week period, more than 28,000 glamour readers and Army of Women members voted for their favorite PSA among the four finalists, which will air on Lifetime Television for Women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the month October.

Marc and Ryan will receive an Apple Final Cut Studio Package and the opportunity to meet with the senior vice president of production at New Regency Productions, the production company founded by Arnon Milchan that distributes its films worldwide through Twentieth Century Fox.

Both winners have been touched by breast cancer. Marc Parees, the writer and director of Million in the Mirror, is currently pursuing his MFA in film and recently received a Warner Brothers Production Grant for his thesis film Little Ones, currently in development for production in Spring 2010. The producer, Ryan Silbert, is currently developing a slate of films including several genre films by George Romero, and an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon co-written by King and Romero.

Congratulations to our finalists and especially to Marc and Ryan for creating such an inspirational PSA for the Army of Women.

Here is “Million in the Mirror”…enjoy!

Pam said...

This was an amazing video, touched me to tears. Glad it “won” although all were good.

October 11th, 2009 11:16 am

Shirletta said...

This was an awesome video. It was very touching. It is a great first video for Army of Women. I think it will help recruit more people to join.

October 12th, 2009 4:42 pm

Kathryn said...

Thanks to Army of Women for giving the film students the opportunity to put their creativity to work for the support of breast cancer research. Million in the Mirror really says it all.

October 13th, 2009 2:30 pm

Judy said...

Great video. It does a good job getting the message across!

October 13th, 2009 4:05 pm

LInda said...

This is the one I voted for!! I knew it was ainner!! Wish us luck and good weather this weekend as my team mates and I complete the Breast Cancer 3-Day in Philadelphia!

October 13th, 2009 7:16 pm

“Million in the Mirror” Wins First Ever Army of Women PSA Contest | Woman Tribune said...

[...] winner of their first-ever PSA contest was recently announced and I absolutely love it! The winner is “Million in the Mirror” by Marc Parees and Ryan [...]

October 20th, 2009 9:46 am

theresa said...

This video gave me goose bumps! Well done marc and Ryan!!!

October 27th, 2009 12:12 pm

Alice said...

I get choked up each time I see it. Bravo to the Army and the filmmakers!

November 18th, 2009 1:35 pm

Stella said...

Excellent video. Brought tears to my eyes. Congrats Marc & Ryan!

December 18th, 2009 3:33 pm

Judith said...

The music in this video is beautiful and composed by Cheryl B. Engelhardt. Check her out at cbemusic.com. She was a big support for me during my bout with breast cancer.

December 24th, 2009 3:40 am

mardana said...

My mother passed away in Jan. She fought very hard throughout her two year battle with breast cancer. I am proud to belong to Avon’s Army of Women. This video really touched my heart. Thank you Marc and Ryan for a job very well done. I am sure it will encourage others to join the Army of Women.

May 12th, 2010 1:08 pm

Linda said...

Wow. That made me tear up. What a beautiful video. Job well done, guys!